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The Skater’s Companion

Skate care

Hockey RoH Check

A guided hockey hollow self-assessment for comparing bite, glide, stopping, and release after a fresh sharpen.

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Hockey RoH Check

Hockey Hollow Self-Assessment

Use this after a fresh sharpen to check whether the current hollow feels right for hockey skating. The result suggests a direction only: deeper, shallower, or stay the same.

Important: A deeper hollow usually feels like more bite or grip. A shallower hollow usually feels like more glide and easier release. Neither is better by default.
That's fine. If the result suggests a change, ask what hollow you are currently on, then ask for a small move from that baseline.

Before you start

Warm up first and do these drills at a controlled practice speed, not game speed. Stop and ask your sharpener or coach to check the skates if one skate feels very different, one edge feels sharp and the opposite edge feels dull, the blade feels burred or scratchy, or the problem is only on one foot or direction.

Freshly sharpened blades often feel a little more defined at first. Warm up before judging.

Test 1 - Straight glide and edge roll

Checks basic glide and whether the blades feel sticky or insecure before harder hockey movements.

After warming up, push into a relaxed two-foot glide. Gently roll from flat to a light inside edge, back to flat, then to a light outside edge. Repeat a few times at slow speed.

I can normally do this cleanly both ways.
I can usually do it, but one side or direction is weaker.
I am still learning this movement. It will not strongly affect the result.
I do not do this movement. It will not affect the result.
This is stronger evidence that the hollow is driving the feel.
This may point to technique, edge level, runner alignment, profile, or fatigue.
This still records the feel, but the result should be treated more cautiously.
The blade feels sticky, grabby, or reluctant to move smoothly from one edge to another.
The blade feels uncertain under you, as if it may slide sideways when you ask for a gentle edge.
You can glide and roll onto a light edge without catching or sliding.
The result may be affected by nerves, fresh sharpen feel, or not being warmed up.

Test 2 - Acceleration and first strides

Checks whether the hollow gives enough bite to push without feeling slow or stuck.

From a controlled start, take several strong but comfortable acceleration strides. Focus on whether each push grips cleanly and releases without dragging.

I can normally do this cleanly both ways.
I can usually do it, but one side or direction is weaker.
I am still learning this movement. It will not strongly affect the result.
I do not do this movement. It will not affect the result.
This is stronger evidence that the hollow is driving the feel.
This may point to technique, edge level, runner alignment, profile, or fatigue.
This still records the feel, but the result should be treated more cautiously.
The first strides feel heavy, sticky, or slow to release from the ice.
The blade slips during the push or does not give enough bite to accelerate confidently.
Each push grips when loaded and releases cleanly into the next stride.
Fatigue, weak starts, or poor body position can make acceleration hard to judge.

Test 3 - Tight turns and crossovers

Checks whether the blades hold a hockey turn without locking in too hard.

Skate controlled tight turns or crossovers both ways. Keep the speed moderate and focus on whether the edge holds the curve you choose.

I can normally do this cleanly both ways.
I can usually do it, but one side or direction is weaker.
I am still learning this movement. It will not strongly affect the result.
I do not do this movement. It will not affect the result.
This is stronger evidence that the hollow is driving the feel.
This may point to technique, edge level, runner alignment, profile, or fatigue.
This still records the feel, but the result should be treated more cautiously.
The skate grabs, pulls into a tighter turn than intended, chatters, or feels hard to release.
The edge washes out, skids, or does not hold the turn when loaded.
The edge holds the turn and releases predictably into the next stride.
If one direction is normally weaker, mark that in the symmetry question.

Test 4 - Controlled hockey stop

Checks whether the blade gives controllable braking without grabbing or sliding.

Use a hockey stop you can already do safely. Start slowly, then repeat at a controlled practice speed if it feels safe.

I can normally do this cleanly both ways.
I can usually do it, but one side or direction is weaker.
I am still learning this movement. It will not strongly affect the result.
I do not do this movement. It will not affect the result.
This is stronger evidence that the hollow is driving the feel.
This may point to technique, edge level, runner alignment, profile, or fatigue.
This still records the feel, but the result should be treated more cautiously.
The stop grabs suddenly, chatters, digs too hard, or feels difficult to feather.
The blade slides too easily and does not slow you confidently.
You can increase or decrease braking pressure and feel in control.
Stopping technique varies a lot, so do not let this drill dominate the result.

Test 5 - Forward-backward transitions

Checks whether the hollow releases cleanly during direction changes.

Use a forward-backward transition you already perform reliably. Try both directions if possible and use moderate speed.

I can normally do this cleanly both ways.
I can usually do it, but one side or direction is weaker.
I am still learning this movement. It will not strongly affect the result.
I do not do this movement. It will not affect the result.
This is stronger evidence that the hollow is driving the feel.
This may point to technique, edge level, runner alignment, profile, or fatigue.
This still records the feel, but the result should be treated more cautiously.
The blade catches or blocks the transition and feels hard to release.
The edge skids or feels insecure through the change of direction.
The transition releases cleanly and the exit edge feels secure.
If the transition is new or inconsistent, this is more likely technique than hollow.

Test 6 - Backward skating and backward edge hold

Checks whether the hollow supports controlled backward movement without excess drag or slip.

Skate backward at controlled speed using familiar C-cuts or backward crossovers. Focus on whether the edges grip and release evenly.

I can normally do this cleanly both ways.
I can usually do it, but one side or direction is weaker.
I am still learning this movement. It will not strongly affect the result.
I do not do this movement. It will not affect the result.
This is stronger evidence that the hollow is driving the feel.
This may point to technique, edge level, runner alignment, profile, or fatigue.
This still records the feel, but the result should be treated more cautiously.
The blade feels draggy, grabby, or hard to release while skating backward.
The blade slips or washes out when you press into the edge.
The edge holds and releases predictably while skating backward.
If backward skating is still developing, mark confidence low so it does not mislead the result.

Result preview

Complete the tests to see a result.

Only tests you are technically confident performing should strongly influence the recommendation.

Deeper evidence:
Shallower evidence:
Stay same:
Useful tests:

If you change hollow, make it a small change from your current setting. Give it at least two sessions, then repeat this assessment.

Free to use. Complete the check here; sign in only if you want to keep it in your skating record.